Solving Global Pollution: Strategies For A Sustainable Future

Pollution is a serious problem that affects the air we breathe, the water we drink and the soil we grow our food in. However, it is also a problem that can be solved. In 2017, the world's ministers of environment gathered at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and expressed their commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet. The Clean Air Act in the United States, for example, has paved the way for numerous efforts to improve air quality. People are taking action to reduce emissions and improve air quality, and communities are coming together to demand change.

Creating policies and passing laws to restrict air pollution

Air pollution is the biggest environmental health risk of our time, killing more than 7 million people every year. To tackle this, the world's ministers of the environment have expressed their political commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet.

At the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in 2017, governments adopted resolutions targeting specific aspects of pollution, including air quality. The UNEA is the world's highest-level decision-making body for environmental issues, with 193 member states. The assembly's sixth session (UNEA 6) in Nairobi, Kenya, concluded with a resolution to develop a global knowledge-sharing platform and regional cooperation between member states to tackle air pollution. This resolution directs the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to establish a global knowledge platform to share knowledge, information and expertise across member states. The online platform is expected to provide best practices, interactive online tools, and data and air quality maps. The resolution also calls for regional and subregional cooperation between countries to develop and implement air quality policies and set targets for air quality levels aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.

UNEP has also published a report, which provides an update on progress made on preventing and reducing air pollution to improve air quality globally. The report is one of several released in advance of the fourth session of the UNEA. According to the report, since the resolution's adoption at UNEA-3 in December 2017, UNEP has strengthened the institutional positioning of air quality within the organization and begun developing a UNEP-wide air quality programme focused on monitoring and assessment, policy and technology support, and awareness-raising and communication.

In addition to the work of the UNEA and UNEP, everyday choices can also make a difference in reducing air pollution. For example, commuting by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving can help reduce motor vehicle emissions, which remain the most significant source of most common air pollutants.

Reducing harmful emissions from transport

One way to reduce emissions from transport is to change how we travel and transport goods. This could include commuting smart by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. It could also mean using public transport more often, or carpooling when possible. Another way to reduce emissions is to increase the efficiency of vehicle technology. This can be done by using low-carbon fuels and improving the technology of vehicles themselves. For example, electric vehicles are becoming more popular and account for a growing share of new car registrations in Europe.

Regulations and standards can also help to reduce emissions from transport. In the US, for example, there are standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles that limit GHG and other harmful pollutants. There are also standards for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and buses. These standards will lead to significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. In the EU, policy efforts have led to a decrease in emissions from transport, with the exception of shipping and aviation. The EU has also seen an increase in the use of renewable energy sources for transport, with the share of energy from renewable sources increasing from under 2% in 2005 to 8.7% in 2022.

Overall, there are many opportunities to reduce harmful emissions from transport. By changing how we travel and transport goods, increasing the efficiency of vehicle technology, and implementing regulations and standards, we can make a significant impact on reducing the world's pollution.

Improving air quality

There are also ways to improve the air quality in your home. The most effective way to do this is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. For example, sources that contain asbestos can be sealed or enclosed, and gas stoves can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. In many cases, source control is also a more cost-efficient approach to protecting indoor air quality than increasing ventilation because increasing ventilation can increase energy costs. However, ventilation can also be used to improve indoor air quality by removing or diluting indoor airborne pollutants. Ventilation is particularly important when there are outdoor sources of pollutants, such as smoke or refuse, nearby. Natural ventilation, such as through windows and doors, can be used, or mechanical means, such as through outdoor air intakes associated with the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. Infiltration, a process by which outdoor air flows into the house through openings, joints and cracks in walls, floors and ceilings, and around windows and doors, can also be used to improve indoor air quality.

Reducing water pollution, soil pollution, marine litter and microplastics

While air pollution is a serious problem, it is one that can be solved. In 1970, the Clean Air Act was passed in the United States, paving the way for numerous efforts to improve air quality. The Act requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set air quality standards for several hazardous air pollutants reported in the Air Quality Index (AQI). It also requires states to have a plan to address air pollution and emissions reduction, and addresses problems such as acid rain, ozone holes, and greenhouse gas pollution.

To reduce your impact on the environment, you can use energy, transport, and other goods and services more carefully. This includes commuting smart by walking or riding to work or the shops instead of driving. Motor vehicle emissions remain the most significant source of most common air pollutants.

Around the world, many of the current solutions are the result of communities coming together to demand change. You can check on the air quality in your area at the AirNow website and take action within your community to find solutions to air pollution.

In 2017, the world’s ministers of environment gathered at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and expressed their political commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet. Governments adopted resolutions targeting specific aspects of pollution, including water pollution, soil pollution, marine litter, and microplastics. An Implementation Plan was devised to promote accelerated action and enhance capacities to address pollution and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Using energy, transport and other goods and services more carefully

Everyday choices have the power to make a difference and help protect the environment for a clean and sustainable future.

We can also take action within our communities to find solutions to air pollution. Many of the current solutions are the result of communities coming together to demand change. Creating policies and passing laws to restrict air pollution has been an important step towards improving air quality. For example, the Clean Air Act in the United States requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set air quality standards for several hazardous air pollutants. It also requires states to have a plan to address air pollution and emissions reduction, and addresses problems such as acid rain, ozone holes, and greenhouse gas pollution.

In 2017, the world's ministers of environment gathered at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and expressed their political commitment to working towards a pollution-free planet. Governments also adopted resolutions targeting specific aspects of pollution, including air quality, water pollution, soil pollution, marine litter and microplastics, and chemicals and waste.

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